Welcome Friends!
Saturday was the day I’ve been working all year toward, I finished the 40th new experience with a full heart! The loudest voices in the media are saying, “set boundaries, say no, do less”, but this year of saying “yes”, trying new things, and getting out of my comfort zone has been wonderful!
If you have trouble viewing any photos on this post, click here.
Ready to learn all about them? Here they are in no particular order!
1. Go on a spontaneous trip ✔️
John planned a day trip for us ,and completely surprised me! We went to Newport, RI for the cliff walk, and then to Providence Rhode Island. I loved not being the planner for the day, and going with the flow! I’m always the family trip planner so this was a new experience that I could get use to!
2. Take a class to learn a new skill (glass blowing) ✔️
This was ok… I knew pretty quickly into the session, it was nothing I’d really want to do. The owner of Prism was a nice guy though, and it was fun to do a date with John were we were also learning something new.
3. Treat myself to luxury sheets ✔️
My friend Jo Ann took care of this one for me as a birthday present and they are so soft!
4. Go to a cat cafe ✔️
The cafe was creepy and dirty, but the kitties were so cute! It was in a different state so I’d be open to going again somewhere else.
5. Go to the biodome in Montreal ✔️
This was really fun! I enjoyed that I was able to do it as part of a field trip with Harmony, too!
6. Meet with a nutritionist ✔️
I don’t have a photo for this one, but it’s been such a huge help to our whole family!
7. Go to a music festival ✔️
This was fun, but I think it’s because we stayed offsite and went back around dinner time all day. I don’t think I’d want to be there all day for 3 days. I love worship music so Soul Fest was the right kind of music festival for me!
8. Eat a new food ✔️ knish, whale, fermented shark, puffin, horse, caviar, arctic char, buffalo
I loved that I stretched myself to try new food. Many of these were in Iceland, and part of a food tour or Michelin star restaurant experience.
9. Try a new drink ✔️ new york egg cream
10. Win a survival show ✔️
Is this one allowed to count? It didn’t air until my 39th year even though I did it when I was 38. So I’m counting it! :) Read all about our experience being on BYU Survivalist Show Here.
11. Get permanent jewelry ✔️
Loved this one!!! I have had it 2 months and can’t even tell it’s on. If I leave the house without putting jewelry on, it still looks cute. I want more!
12. Go to a country I’ve never been to ✔️
This wins my very favorite memory! I loved our trip to Iceland even more than I thought I would! Tara and I had so much fun. Read all about it here.
13. Swim in the blue lagoon ✔️
This was other world! I felt like I was on Mars… well, what I picture Mars feeling like. It was really cold outside (30ish) and the water was 100 degrees. The water was also not clear. When I put my hand in, I couldn’t see my hand. I could have stayed in here all day!
14. Make my own ring 💍 ✔️
This was a blast! I’d do this again and I love that Heather and Aubrey were up for trying it along with me at Sawtooth in Troy.
15. Dye my hair an unnatural color ✔️
Even though my hairdresser did a great job, I didn’t feel like this was worth it. I went with rose gold, it was really expensive, and it only lasted 2 weeks. I don’t plan tot do this again.
16. Drive a Lamborghini ✔️
This was fun, but really short! It only lasted about 5 minutes so I’m not sure I would do it again.
17. Pedal car in the Adirondacks ✔️
I loved this one, and would love to do it again! We went with our friends, the Myles, in the early morning which I would recommend because it would get hot without and shade.
18. Tour the Vanderbilt Manson ✔️
Loved this and love that it’s close to home!
19. Go to church at a different religion ✔️
20. Visit the CIA ✔️
If you’ve never done this, you should! The Culinary Institute of America has some amazing restaurants that you can have high end meals with a budget friendly price point. You can also do it on a day trip and it’s so delicious! I loved having a day trip with my friends, Tara, too!
21. Take a pizza making class ✔️
This was fun because the food was yummy and I was with my bestie MaryGrace.
22. Learn how to do latte art ✔️
This was one of my favorites because I love Jacob Alejandro, and I love making lattes. I’ve been wanting to learn how to create designs from the frothed milk.
23. Sleep in a castle ✔️
This was a pleasant surprise; close to home, inexpensive, and a fun treat! Check out more details here.
24. Sleep in a treehouse ✔️
This was our whole families favorite experience on the list. Check out all the details here.
25. Go to high point market ✔️
High Point Market is an interior designers paradise. Over 11 million square feet of designs and products to check out. It was so inspiring and I can’t wait to go back!
26. Go to an orchid exhibit ✔️
This was an originally unplanned stopped, but when the designer expo in NYC wasn’t quite what it was in other years, we skipped early, and went to an orchid exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens.
27. Go sailing ✔️
This was so fun! Sailing out of Salem… just north of Boston with my dear friends Kori, Kristine, and Mary Grace.
28. Do a photo shoot for someone ✔️
I’ve always wanted to do a photo shoot for someone. I’m used to photographing furniture and rooms, but people… they are my favorite. I was able to capture my beautiful friend Alisha!
29. Gamble at a casino ✔️
Wouldn’t do this again, but it was fun for a one time attempt! I made a little money and didn’t stay long, but checked it off my list! lol
30. See a geyser erupt in person ✔️
While in Iceland, I watched a guyeser erupt for the first time and it was such a thing of beauty!
31. Get a color consult for my skin and hair ✔️
This was fun and helped me a lot with picking the right colors in clothing now!
32. Eat at a Michelin restaurant ✔️
This was another item that was checked off in Iceland! It was so good and I’d love to try another Michelin restaurant in the state next!
33. Go to the race track ✔️
It’s crazy to me that I grew up in Saratoga, but have never been to the racetrack. So I went to the Saratoga Race Track for the first time with my friends Tanya and Aubrey.
34. See the broadway show Hamilton ✔️
My sister in law, Jessica, and I went to see the broadway musical Hamilton for the first time. Yes, it was amazing!!!
35. Fly an airplane ✔️
While I was in Atlanta, my friends Elise and Jacob (who are both pilots) recommended that I fly an airplane as one of my 40 by 40 experience. I was nervous about this one, but loved every second!
36. Go to Charleston, SC ✔️
I’ve been wanting to go to Charleston since my friend Nicolle told me about how dreamy it was there so on our way to Florida we stayed overnight, and did a historic tour of the city. She was 100% correct, it was absolutely dreamy and I would love to go back for longer.
37. Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge ✔️
I went to visit my sister and soaked up the Golden Gate Bridge. What a thing of beauty!
38. Visit Alcatraz ✔️
I didn’t think I would love this, but I did!! One of the more interesting things that I’ve done on the list, and I loved being with my sister to experience it together!
39. Visit a salt room ✔️
This was a funny one because a group of us met to do the salt room together, and once we got there we were told it was a time of meditation so we couldn’t even chat. We just whispered to catch up on life. lol I still loved getting time with Brielle, Eileen, and Elise.
40. Second earring ✔️
I liked the look of a second earring, but after 3 month they were still hurting my ears so I gave up on it. I should have known. That same thing happened to my mom and to Harmony.
If you have other ideas of local experiences that could be fun for people, please comment! I’d love to keep trying new things!
I hope this inspires you to try new adventures as well! Dream big! Say yes!! We are never, ever promised tomorrow.
Love always to my FunCycled friends and family!
Sarah Trop
